In Memory of

Joan

Harriet

Gufert

Obituary for Joan Harriet Gufert

Joan Harriet (Snow) Gufert, 90, of East Granby, beloved wife of William Gufert, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at John Dempsey Hospital. Joan, born on June 18, 1932 in Brewer, ME, was the beloved daughter of the late Elmer and Arlene (Wood) Snow. Joan, raised in New Britain, graduated from New Britain High School, later becoming a licensed beautician. Joanie worked in various salons in her younger years. Before making East Granby her home for over the past 40 years, she spent her younger years living briefly in Bangor, Maine, Windsor Locks, CT, and Milford, New Hampshire. Joanie was active and vibrant right up until her final days.

Joanie was a member of The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Suffield during the church's earliest days. There, she taught Sunday School for many years and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Joanie had a deep connection with God, praying every night for every single person she loved or knew who needed her prayers. She loved people and was avidly curious about what made people tick. She loved reading biographies which exemplified her desire to understand the inner workings of people. Joanie, with her vibrant smile and social personality, would make friends with almost everyone she met. Joanie was by all accounts a beautiful woman. Having just turned 90, she was so proud of the fact that nobody would ever guess she was 90! She loved to cook and spent hours preparing healthy meals for her husband, Bill, and herself. She frequently enjoyed walking through the malls with Bill and dining out. Her greatest joy, however, was connecting with her family. She was truly a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, stepmother, cousin, and friend.

In addition to her loving and devoted husband of 44 years, she leaves her adoring daughters, Linda McCartney and spouse Paul of Canton and Donna Johnson and spouse Linda of Nashua, NH and her beloved grandchildren, Holly, Kelly and Kristy McCartney. She also leaves behind her stepchildren, Marlaine Souza and spouse Paul, William Gufert, Jr. and spouse Pamela and Margaret Oliveira and spouse Gloria; her step grandchildren, Phillip and Mary Beth Mele, Amy and Shelly Gufert, Lindsey Bruce and Bridget Olszewski. Joan is survived by her beloved cousin Florence Sawyer who was more like a sister to her. She was predeceased by her daughter, Cathy Hope Johnson, who passed away at only five days old but who remained loved and thought of every day by her mother.

A private celebration of her life will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury and burial will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at Joan Gufert Memorial Page
or to
American Diabetes Association.